Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance on November 20th that honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. It was started in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. The vigil raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people and publicly mourns and honors the lives of transgender people who might otherwise be forgotten. Through the vigil, we express love and respect in the face of national indifference and hatred. We commemorate all the transgender people lost to violence since Rita Hester’s death, which began the important tradition that has become the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance.
In a quote from TDoR founder, Gwendolyn Ann Smith, she states:
“Transgender Day of Remembrance seeks to highlight the losses we face due to anti-transgender bigotry and violence. I am no stranger to the need to fight for our rights, and the right to simply exist is first and foremost. With so many seeking to erase transgender people – sometimes in the most brutal ways possible – it is vitally important that those we lose are remembered, and that we continue to fight for justice.”
As of September 2022, there were 389 transgender people worldwide who died due to violence, including suicide. In any given year, the majority of victims are Black and Latina women, but this epidemic of violence affects the entire community. In the United States there were at least 69 known cases of fatal violence against transgender, nonbinary and gender non-conforming Americans from October 2021 to September 2022, including suicides. Through the following list, we remember those we’ve lost:
In a quote from TDoR founder, Gwendolyn Ann Smith, she states:
“Transgender Day of Remembrance seeks to highlight the losses we face due to anti-transgender bigotry and violence. I am no stranger to the need to fight for our rights, and the right to simply exist is first and foremost. With so many seeking to erase transgender people – sometimes in the most brutal ways possible – it is vitally important that those we lose are remembered, and that we continue to fight for justice.”
As of September 2022, there were 389 transgender people worldwide who died due to violence, including suicide. In any given year, the majority of victims are Black and Latina women, but this epidemic of violence affects the entire community. In the United States there were at least 69 known cases of fatal violence against transgender, nonbinary and gender non-conforming Americans from October 2021 to September 2022, including suicides. Through the following list, we remember those we’ve lost:
- Royal Poetical Starz, 26, Miami Gardens, FL, shot October 2, 2021
- El Cho, 30, Yucca Valley, CA, October 9, 2021
- Mel Robert Groves, 25, Jackson, MS, shot October 11, 2021
- Tayda Lebon, New York, NY, suicide October 14, 2021
- Keeva Scatter, 34, Baton Rouge, LA, shot October 15, 2021
- Jessi Hart, 42, Banks, Oregon, murdered October 17, 2021
- Jo Acker, 26, Boise, ID, shot October 25, 2021
- Joey Spencer (“JoJo”), 30, Mount Airy, NC, suicide October 27, 2021
- Rikkey Outumuto (“Tru Starlet”), 39, Centralia, WA, shot October 31, 2021
- Jenny De Leon, 25, Tampa, FL, murdered November 2, 2021
- Marquiisha Lawrence, 28, Greenville, SC, shot November 4, 2021
- Danyale Johnson, 35, Memphis, TN, shot November 7, 2021
- Angel Naira, 36, Aliquippa, PA, shot November 11, 2021
- Haley Gabriella Feldmann, 19, Beach, ND, suicide November 12, 2021
- Nikai David, 33, Oakland, CA, shot December 3, 2021
- Martina Caldera, 38, Channelview, TX, shot December 6, 2021
- Za’niyah Williams, 21, Houston, TX, run over December 20, 2021
- Ke’Yahonna Stone, 32, Indianapolis, IN, shot December 28, 2021
- Amelia Furniss Leonhart, 22, Idaho Falls, ID, suicide December 20, 2021
- Nikki Turrietta, 31, Albuquerque, NM, shot December 31, 2021
- Amarey Lej (“Myara”), 21, Pittsburgh, PA, shot January 1, 2022
- Duval Princess, 24, Jacksonville, FL, January 2, 2022
- Destine Lashaee, 29, Houston, TX, suicide, February 9, 2022
- Matthew Angelo Spampinato, 21, New Castle, DE, run over February 9, 2022
- Naomie Skinner, 25, Highland Park, MI, shot February 12, 2022
- Cypress Ramos, 21, Lubbock, TX, beaten February 13, 2022
- Paloma Vazquez, 29, Houston, TX, shot February 26, 2022
- Brent Wood, 31, Seattle, WA, beaten March 3, 2022
- Milo Winslow, 30, Lincoln, NE, suicide March 3, 2022
- Kathryn Newhouse, 19, Canton, GA, shot March 9, 2022
- Elise Malary, 31, Evanston, IL, drowned March 17, 2022
- Tatiana Labelle (“Tee Tee”), 33, Chicago, IL, murdered March 19, 2022
- Kesha Webster, 24, Jackson, MS, murdered March 26, 2022
- Kai Khan, 18, Great Bend, KS, suicide March 27, 2022
- Miia Love Parker, Chester, PA, shot April 1, 2022
- Ariyanna Mitchell, 17, Hampton, VA, shot April 2, 2022
- Fern Feather, 29, Morristown, VT, stabbed April 12, 2022
- Ace Scott, 15, Kansas City, MO, April 15, 2022
- Kenna Leigh Gillock, 26, Gold Hill, OR, suicide April 17, 2022
- Asher Garcia, 14, Frazee, MN, suicide April 21, 2022
- Ray Muscat, 24, Independence Township, MI, shot May 8, 2022
- Ruby Taverner, 22, Independence Township, MI, suicide May 9, 2022
- Michelle S. Tarrio, New York, NY, cosmetic filler complications, May 10, 2022
- Sasha Mason, 45, Zebulon, NC, shot Mary 13, 2022
- Nedra Sequence Morris (“Sequence”), 50, Opa-locka, FL, shot May 14, 2022
- Maddie Hoffman, 47, Malvern, PA, shot May 19, 2022
- Maddie Dickens, 28, Roseville, MN, possible suicide May 20, 2022
- DeeDee Hall, 47, Dallas, TX, died in custody, May 26, 2022
- Chanelika Y’Ella Dior Hemingway (“Sid”), 30, Albany, NY, murdered May 31, 2022
- Rexy Que, 26, Wichita, KS, suicide June 3, 2022
- Paris Rich, 25, San Diego, CA, June 13, 2022
- Brazil Johnson, 28, Milwaukee, WI, shot June 15, 2022
- Shawmayne McClam, 27, Gulfport, MS, shot June 21, 2022
- Kitty Monroe, Memphis, TN, shot June 29, 2022
- Cherry Bush, 48, Los Angeles, CA, shot July 6, 2022
- Jasper Aaron Lynch, 26, McClean, VA, shot July 7, 2022
- Jimmie “Jay” Lee, 20, Lafayette County, MS, July 8, 2022
- Martasia Richmond, 30, Chicago, IL, stabbed July 11, 2022
- Toi Davis, 34, Milwaukee, WI, July 16, 2022
- Keshia Chanel Geter, 26, Augusta, GA, shot July 20, 2022
- Hayden Nevah Davis, 28, Detroit, MI, shot July 25, 2022
- Kamila Marie Swann (“Dee Dee”, “Kandii Redd”), 29, Kansas City, MO, stabbed July 25, 2022
- Marisela Castro, 39, Houston, TX, shot July 29, 2022
- Kimbella Kimble, 21, Gulfport, MS, died in custody, August 6, 2022
- Acey D. Morrison, 30, Rapid City, SD, shot August 21, 2022
- Dede Ricks, 33, Detroit, MI, shot August 27, 2022
- Regina Allen (“Mya”), 35, Milwaukee, WI, shot August 29, 2022
- Semaj Sincere Billingslea, 33, Jacksonville, FL, shot September 21, 2022
- Serena Brenneman, 16, Salem, OR, suicide September 24, 20
Trans Lives Matter
SAY THEIR NAMES
Once again, TGI Network of Rhode Island will be supporting a special service to commemorate Transgender Day of Remembrance on Sunday, November 20th at 7 pm.
TDoR is a solemn and meaningful occasion when we get together to recognize the toll that anti-trans violence has taken on members of the trans, nonbinary, and gender expansive community. It is a time to recognize and remember those bright souls whom we have lost during the last twelve months.
Just as the last couple of years, this service will be held over Zoom. This is to accommodate health concerns some people may have had and it makes participation easier for some folks with disabilities. It also means that the service is more easily accessible for folks from across the state (and region).
If you are interested in attending (or would like more information), email tdor.rhodeisland@gmail.com and the link will be sent to you before the event.
TDoR is a solemn and meaningful occasion when we get together to recognize the toll that anti-trans violence has taken on members of the trans, nonbinary, and gender expansive community. It is a time to recognize and remember those bright souls whom we have lost during the last twelve months.
Just as the last couple of years, this service will be held over Zoom. This is to accommodate health concerns some people may have had and it makes participation easier for some folks with disabilities. It also means that the service is more easily accessible for folks from across the state (and region).
If you are interested in attending (or would like more information), email tdor.rhodeisland@gmail.com and the link will be sent to you before the event.
Download the file below to view a slideshow of transgender and non-binary people who lost their lives from October 2021 through September 2022 as a result of violence.
| 2022-11-20_tdor_us_slideshow.pptx |